"My term as President started just as the pandemic began in 2020. Despite the negative impact Covid had on all of us personally and professionally, it became an important opportunity for NACS to show membership value. NACS pivoted and adapted to provide our members with immediate resources and engagement. This engagement helped us reach new members and restore relationships. My term was extended to two years and provided me with one of the greatest professional opportunities of my career."

2020-22    Steven Westenbroek, College of Saint Mary Campus Store, Omaha, NE 

"My year as president (2018-19) was a time of great change. There were many challenging aspects happening to all campus stores and the association with the focus on helping stores remain independent and institutionally owned. I really appreciated the connections made with campus store leaders and NACS staff from the time I joined the board of trustees in 2008. The friendships developed during that time will last a lifetime."

2018-19    Steve Alb, MBA, CCR, The Bookstore at Western, Western University, London, Ontario

"My term as NACS President was a time of continued and increasing efforts to lease or outsource college stores. The NACS Board and leadership decided a new focus on institutional stores was needed. This change of focus was based on a revisioning of what NACS could do to support stores via indiCo. This was the second year of a strong effort to reinvent indiCo, transforming it into a direct import concern, supplying the institutional store with product/pricing that direct importation allows. Staffing and structure were added to indiCo to support this effort and the initial product lines were introduced. It was a time of excitement and possibilities but also a time when the difficulties of making a success of the indiCo transition were becoming apparent.

As others have noted, the pleasure of working with a dedicated and professional staff made it a great experience not to be forgotten. Relationships and friendships were established with people across the nation that will remain with me forever."

2016-17  Mark Frisby, CCR, MSU Bookstore, Inc., Montana State University, Bozeman (Retired)

"It was an honor to serve this great industry with so many talented, inspiring, and thoughtful individuals.
Please continue to rock on and make us all better."

2014-15    Todd Summer, CCR, Aztec Shops Ltd., San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

"I served as NACS President from 2013-2014. The Executive committee was focused on Strategic Planning so as to remain nimble in our ever-changing industry. The NACS Board undertook a serious examination of the NACS Bylaws in order to adjust to our changing industry. Fiduciary responsibilities were examined and adjust made so as to remain vigilant stewards. Lastly, we also maintained a laser focus on to role of the College Store as it relates to Course Materials/Custom Publishing and introduced tools for Mangers seeking to play a greater role as advisor to Academic Administration. The tireless dedication of NACS Staff, NACS Board and the countless number of Volunteers constantly drove me to give so much of my time. I am very proud of NACS as it has evolved over the years. 100 years, Collaboration, Integrity, Innovation, Inclusion, and Excellence!"

2013-14   George G. Masforroll, Broward College Bookstores, Ft. Lauderdale, FL (Retired)

"I would say my year as President (2010-2011) was dominated by textbook rentals and the acceleration and widespread use of digital materials and readers. The Board approved the creation of NACS Media Solutions to provide options for stores to sell digital materials and a Digital Content expert was hired to help with the transition. Textbook rentals came on so suddenly that our POS providers had to offer stores a way to sell rentals and figure out how they accounted for the sale and financials after the fact. Many online textbook rental providers tried to fill that gap and stores scrambled to figure out what was going to work for their campus. The industry is definitely more decentralized than ever before and NACS continues to be the voice of the industry. My years on the NACS Board of Trustees and serving as NACS President are the highlight of my career."

2010-11    Carol J. Miller, CCR, NDSU Bookstore, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND (Retired)

"For the past 100 years, through both good times and challenging ones, the focus of NACS has been to put members first. NACS leadership and professional staff have accomplished this by listening to members and then strategically plan how best to provide the tools to meet those needs, not just for the present but for wherever the future might take us. I know NACS will continue to work tirelessly to meet the needs of its members."

2009-10   Vicki Morris Benion, CCR, Bucknell University Bookstore, Lewisburg, PA (Retired)

"Wow, NACS turning 100! To look back it seems the old adage of the “more things change, the more things stay the same” is still alive and well. That was evident reading back on my columns when I was President back in 2008. And to think that was 15 years ago! It seems many of the same challenges and opportunities are in front of us, as they were back then. And as I prepare to retire in 2023, after 36 years of being involved in the industry, I think future Presidents and leaders of the association will continue to face similar issues, just nuanced for the times. Being a part of NACS, and the college store industry was, and continues to be, the highlight of my career. I’m thankful for the opportunities and the ability to give back to my institution and to have been a part of something that created lifelong friendships and colleagues, which is what I treasure most!
Happy 100th NACS! Here’s to many more for you!"

2008-09    Melanie Sparks, CCR, University of New Mexico Bookstore, Albuquerque

"NACS was helping members prepare for “The Store of the Future” which at that time meant The Store of 2020! We were pretty sure the future would include Digital Course Content Delivery (got that one right), new Retail Technologies (anyone used Apple Pay lately?), General Retailing Products & Services (of course), and we envisioned the campus store as a Resource Center for the Campus (you be the judge for your campus on that one!)." 

2006-07    Kathleen K. Grace, CCR, Swarthmore College Bookstore, Swarthmore, PA

"I joined the college store industry in 1985 and became active in NACS in 1988, eventually serving on committees, facilitating, and serving on the Board of Trustees. I was elected president of the association in 2005-06.

What was true in 1985 is, I believe true today, the industry is changing and will continue to change! When I joined the industry, we were using card catalogues to keep track of our inventory and we were charcoal stamping prices on books. Our purchase orders were all typed (yes, that’s right, on typewriters).  Shift forward and computerized store systems are in place everywhere, price tags come with scannable bar codes, e-books have become the norm and electronic shelf tags are linked to systems that can constantly upload and refresh pricing. Progress, speed and yes, change!

What has not changed is the quality of the people in our industry and the collegial relationships that have both educated and sustained us as we navigated day-to-day operations. The college store industry is a community of peers who freely give their support to each other, and I believe this is what makes the NACS community unique. As store professionals we have also been fortunate to draw on the expertise of the NACS staff who continue to provide support on industry and higher education issues as well as government legislation. 

I feel very fortunate to have spent 34 years proudly calling myself a college store professional."

2005-06   Debbie Harvie, CCR, UBC Bookstore, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC (Retired)

"My experiences and opportunities through NACS participation were like polishing stone! As an industry leader, each class, seminar meeting, CAMEX and peer interaction gave me what I needed to stand for all college store professionals and college stores. During my year as president, we struggled with how to proceed with NACSCORP.

As the most used resource/service at that time, we found ways to make sure the services could continue for large and small stores. Small stores particularly needed the opportunities in buying power and order consolidation. Amazon had not yet reached us. Each past president can offer you stories of sleepless nights and endless collaboration to make NACS the best it can be.

Thanks, NACS...keep going…we still need you!"

2003-04   Gwen S. Gardner, Davidson College Bookstore, Davidson, NC (Retired)

"My year as president was highly influenced by discussions over the future of NACSCORP. It was a difficult discussion and eventually we decided that the value of NACSCORP to all stores, but especially smaller stores, should drive our final decision. In the end, we decided that NACSCORP should be continued for the benefit of our members. That turned out to be the right thing to do then. We also spent a great deal of time discussing ways to prepare our members for the coming digitization of course materials. It was a year of early transition that has played out much as we expected then…with new ways to deliver course materials and new products to sell. Serving NACS was the highlight of my 35-year career with college stores and it undoubtedly increased my value to the schools I served, not to mention the lifetime friendships I made. Thank you, NACS, for the opportunity!"

2002-03   Kenneth L. Bowers, UCSB Bookstore, University of California-Santa Barbara (Retired)

"What a privilege it was for me to serve as President of NACS during 2001-2002. The industry certainly has changed since my first involvement. Back then a T-shirt had to be priced at less than $5, and sweatshirts at less than $10 or they were very slow sellers. Students were aghast at paperback course books that cost more than $20! Now look at the top end of the pricing curve.

Such extraordinary people inhabit in our organization. Leaders who were “the right person at the right time’ to lead during times of change and growth, committee chairs and members who spent their personal time to move our industry forward, board members and leaders who made tough decisions when needed all contributed to the advancement of NACS and its subsidiaries. I think of the people that pushed us as an organization toward ecommerce, digital delivery of course materials, sophisticated point-of-sale systems, financial sophistication, and enhancement of interactions with our eclectic kinds of customers.

We watched NACS evolve and change with what was then NACSCORP, the NACS Foundation, NACS Media Solutions, PartnerShip, NACS education, leadership structure, the certification program, just to mention a few. What has not changed is the drive of NACS and its constituents to remain relevant.

Special personal memories include being with John Hedgecock touring the country at regional meetings to speak about communication and being NACS President for what may have been the shortest elected full-term president for about 10 months when the NACS fiscal year changed.

I have been extraordinarily privileged and blessed to work with the finest members, volunteers, staff, and leaders in our industry.

Congratulations to NACS on the 100th Anniversary of our organization!"

2001-02   Dennis A. Mekelburg, Matthews Medical Bookstores, Maryland Heights, MO (Retired)

"I served as NACS President shortly after Indianapolis, 1999-2000, in the midst of major changes. The NACS Board embarked on a major review of the NACS Strategic Plan with an emphasis on some re-invention, including re-positioning the Annual Meeting and CAMEX, expanding NACSCORP, and a new initiative we called CollegeStoreOnline. Most importantly, we wanted to respond to the membership’s request that NACS do more “Standing Up for College Stores”, and that became the NACS 2000 theme. "New Rhythms in Nashville” signaled a change of direction for NACS.

To reinforce what others have said of their service with and for NACS, it has always come down to the people. The enthusiasm and dedication of store volunteers and NACS staff alike have driven whatever successes have been enjoyed. I have been blessed to have made many, many friends over the years in this industry. While the times and industry may have changed, I’m sure the same enthusiasm and dedication will be evident as NACS hits the 100-year mark!"

1999-2000   Robert McCampbell, Bay Tree Bookstore, University of California-Santa Cruz (Retired)

"When I was installed as NACS President (1998-99), we were celebrating the 75th Anniversary at the Annual Meeting. I can only imagine the excitement surrounding the upcoming 100th year anniversary.

I was so privileged to be associated with NACS. I attended seminars, taught seminars, worked on committees, chaired annual meetings and was a member of the Board and Executive committee. I worked with great individuals from our industry, made lifelong friends and worked with the best Association staff anywhere.

With regard to your request, I have always thought every Board and President have exciting, though challenging experiences during their tenure. Our industry and association has been continually evolving from day one to today. During my time as President, the Board fulfilled probably their most important role. Hiring a new Chief (Staff) Executive Officer (Brian Cartier), only the third in NACS history. We settled dual-pricing litigation, saw the beginning of the virtual and web-based selling and the consolidation of some of the largest publishers and vendors. As I said, it was challenging, but exciting."

1998-99   George E. Herbert Jr., University Bookstore, University of Iowa, Iowa City (Retired)

"My first CAMEX was 1981 and by 1995 I was NACS president. Then, as now, it’s all about the members/people, and providing opportunities for professional success. Education was always my top priority as a NACS leader, and it is more critical than ever."

1995-96   Tommye H. Miller, Valdosta State University Bookstore, Valdosta, GA (Retired)

"What great memories. I recall a series of futures seminars and conferences in the 80s until the mid-90s as we anticipated the many changes “just around the corner” for education, publishing and technology. There were new book readers like the Sony Bookman and the Rocket Book. Distributed learning was all the rage as the Western Governors Association et al pioneered new teaching models. And throughout it all, our publisher colleagues were afoot seeking to streamline their supply channel often disintermediating or diminishing the role of our stores. We called it “coopetition”.

So, I wrote a small book (tapping the wisdom of the multitude) entitled Connections. It was a simple but hopefully helpful strategic planning primer designed as a guide to stores, a kind of “bridge over troubled waters”. We got 5000 (or was it 10,000?) copies “custom published on a Xerox Docutech and made them available to everyone for free. We made strategic planning the content centerpiece at the regionals and in the various training programs. I think that was 1994. It was great fun!

As I look back on the massive change, we’ve all witnessed these past few decades I believe it fair to say that we saw it coming. There were few surprises… the eventual advent of ebooks, distributed learning platforms, customs publishing, online stores, etc. It just took longer, far longer than the futurists of the 80s and 90s expected and often came from unforeseen players. Still, it was a joy to share the experience with so many good people, whom I came to call “friends” long before Facebook diluted its meaning."

1994-95   Richard W. McDaniel, Cornell Campus Store, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (Retired)

"Cover page picture of the prior Anniversary edition brought back many wonderful memories. The listing of the then current officers were very special friends totally committed to NACS.  "Those were the days, my friend...."  Think the mantra of each of us would be WE GAVE OUR BEST. Nothing less was to be accepted. Nothing more was to be expected."

1992-93   David G. Mize, Campus Book Exchange, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant (Retired)

"I was lucky to have served during the heyday of college bookstores (1986-87). At that time, I believed that the NACS summer seminars were the key to saving our industry as we knew it. Most of the attendees were only there to polish managerial skills, but some desperately needed much that we offered. Sadly, that education wasn't enough to stem the tide of the leasing tidal wave. In the years that followed, nearly every accomplished manager that retired was replaced by one of the large contract managing firms. 

As far as our future, I firmly believe that another tidal wave is coming to higher education.  Textbooks have priced themselves beyond the reach of too many students, and soon most college degrees will also be too expensive for the majority of our students. My prediction would be an implosion of our colleges and universities, with state funded Bachelor, Master, and PHD programs only for the best and brightest. K-12 Schools and Junior Colleges will fall under the same management. And both will heavily use interactive textbooks. And lastly, some entrepreneurs not associated with their local college will find a way to serve academia. And that will spread and NACS will rise from the ashes in Oberlin."

1986-87   Peter Vanderhoef, Iowa Book & Supply, University of Iowa, Iowa City (Retired)

"I was Director of the Colgate University Bookstore in Hamilton, New York, a small university in Central New York state. The former manager was Helen Amberg, the first woman President of NACS. I believe we made history by being two women from the same college in the history of NACS.

I had wonderful people to surround my presidency, all helping in their way to help NACS march forward."

1985-86   Elinor Wilson, Colgate University Bookstore, Hamilton, NY (Retired)

"I remember a few things very clearly about my year (1982) of being President of NACS.

One of the things I was involved with was starting the NACS Foundation. A ton of work needed to be done to announce the completion of the preliminary work. I was given the goal of raising $34,000 for the Foundation. I scoffed at the number and told the person who gave me the goal. I said that 34K could be raised in a phone call. I said, So how about $5,000,000? That was our new objective, and I was still involved during the years before we finally reached our goal.

I was also charged with doing something about our sister company NACSCORP. This organization had been running a deficit for many years and had been subsidies from the subscription program. We were successful in reorganizing the company and it made a profit for the book side, not including the subscriptions.

I had a successful year made possible by our great Board of Directors and NACS staff." 

1981-82   John Marcus, Matthews Medical Bookstores, Maryland Heights, MO (Retired)